Sunday, January 8, 2017

Weekend 3 Count 1/8/17

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE brings you the Weekend 3 Count. W3C brings you wrestling news, rumors and recaps from around the wrestling world. You'll find news and recaps involving WWE, NXT, TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground, GFW, NJPW, House of Hardcore and any Indy promotion that I find an interesting story or a cool discovery in. Be sure to check out the W3C every Sunday at @TripleThreatCLE.

** Editors Note **First off, with this being the first official edition of Weekend 3 Count for 2017, I just want to say Happy New Year to all of you crazy wrestling fans! I'm honored to continue to be able to bring you major news and recaps throughout the wrestling world weekly with Triple Threat CLE. I'm looking forward to yet another great year of wrestling throughout the entire industry. I try my best to be a little unique as I bring you recaps of independent shows like HOH, EVOLVE, Shimmer, GFW and anything that might be local that I attend in the Carolinas. This business might seem like it revolves around the WWE, but there is just so much great wrestling out there that you just can't find in the WWE. So with that, I hope you all continue to check out my weekly news and recap reports, as I promise to continue to deliver!

Thank you for reading!Brandon

*** WWE ***

- Smackdown Live Defeats RAW In Ratings: What a huge moment for Smackdown Live, as the final ratings total for the last shows of 2016 came in and showed that Smackdown Live defeated RAW in the ratings. Smackdown Live had a 2.885 in viewership and a 2.02 in ratings. RAW brought in a 2.855 in viewership and a 1.94 in ratings.

- New Champion Crowned: Dean Ambrose became a 2 Time WWE Intercontinental Champion this past Tuesday on Smackdown Live after defeating The Miz.

- Undertaker and HBK Return To RAW: WWE announced that The Undertaker and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will be on tomorrow nights edition of RAW, making a "special appearance". Dave Meltzer stated on F4Wonline.com that both appearances might be built up to something for the WWE Royal Rumble on January 29th. Rumors are that The Undertaker might take part in the Royal Rumble match, though not confirmed. The Royal Rumble will take place in San Antonio, Texas, the hometown of Shawn Micheals, which have many speculating that Michaels might also be apart of the Royal Rumble event in some way.

- Brock Lesnar Returning: WWE is currently advertising the return of Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman for the January 16th RAW in Little Rock, Arkansas. WWE has stated that Brock Lesnar and Goldberg will probably not have another face to face until the actual WWE Royal Rumble.

- Update On Goldberg's Contract: Sources have said that Goldberg's current WWE contract has him appearing at the WWE Royal Rumble, WWE Fastlane and Wrestlemania 33. Goldberg will also be making a good amount of RAW appearances during that four month window.

- Wrestlemania 34 Location Announced: WWE has stated, but not officially announced as of yet that Wrestlemania 34 will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana. The last time Wrestlemania was in New Orleans was Wrestlemania 30. That was the night when Brock Lesnar defeated The Undertaker to end "The Streak" and Daniel Bryan defeated Triple H and then Randy Orton and Batista to win the WWE Undisputed Championship.

- Who Should Turn Heel in 2017?: This past week, Forbes posted an article on the top 5 wrestlers that need to turn heel in 2017 to jump start their current gimmicks. Here is that top 5 list:

#5: Randy Orton: Right now Orton is kinda playing the Tweener gimmick with The Wyatt Family. He's still liked because we all know he's eventually going to turn on The Wyatts. Orton loves playing the heel though and it brings out the best in his gimmick.

#4: Big E: Face it, we all know the WWE doesn't keep factions or tag teams together forever. Someone always becomes the Shawn Micheals and the other becomes the Marty Jannetty. The New Day have been going for almost 3 years and there are already rumors of Big E turning heel and getting a push.

#3: Sasha Banks: Banks seemed to always be on top of her game in NXT as the heel. Right now with Banks out of the Women's Championship title picture, it may be time to turn heel and run RAW like a "BOSS".

#2: Dolph Ziggler: Many feel that Ziggler is a great face that the fans can get behind, but Ziggler was always better as the cocky showoff that did what he wanted, whenever he wanted. (Editor's Note: If you saw Smackdown Live this past Tuesday, WWE appeared to have brought back Heel Ziggler)

#1: Dean Ambrose: Ambrose has been a face in the company since the night The Shield broke up. Many feel that his 2 year run as a face is getting stale and it's time to turn heel and revive his gimmick as the loose cannon lunatic.

- 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Inductees Announced: This past week WWE announced that Diamond Dallas Page has been selected as the first inductee for the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame. WWE also announced that Page isn't the main headliner this year, that name has yet to be announced. Page is a former WCW World Heavyweight Champion and has helped many wrestlers clean up their lives with his DDP Yoga and healthy eating program. Rumors are also saying that "Ravishing" Rick Rude will be inducted this year too.

- Mandrews Signs With WWE: WWE announced this week that Mark Andrews (TNA's Mandrews) has signed with the WWE to compete in the up coming WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament.

- New Women Signees: WWE recently posted an article highlighting four of the newest recruits in the WWE Women's Division. Kimber Lee, Heidi Lovelace and Andrea have all competed in EVOLVE, Shine and Chikara Wrestling. Julia Ho is a model, a singer and has also fought in MMA, posting a 2-0 record. All 4 ladies will be reporting to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.

** 205 Live Recap **This week's main event saw Neville battle TJ Perkins in one on one action. This week, Tajiri also made his return to the WWE.

-- Tajiri vs. Sean Maluta: The match closes out with Tajiri trapping Maluta in the Tarantula and then unloads a series of Buzzsaw Kicks. Tajiri hits the springboard back elbow, unloads one more stiff kick on Maluta and scores the pinfall. After the match, Brian Kendrick welcomes Tajiri back to the WWE. Tajiri isn't falling for any of Kendrick's tricks and immediately spits green mist in Kendrick's face.

-- Backstage, Neville says he's being discriminated against and would be the only WWE Cruiserweight Champion right now if he would've been allowed to compete in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic Tournament.

-- Tony Nese vs. Jack Gallagher: The match closes out with Gallagher in control with a corner attack on Nese. Gallagher sends Nese to the floor and then Ariya Daivari comes out of nowhere and chop blocks Gallagher from behind, DQ'ing Nese. After the match, Daivari beats Gallagher down until officials pull Daivari off.

-- Noam Dar vs. Mustafa Ali: The match closes out with Dar countering a Ali springboard and locks Ali in an arm bar submission. Ali escapes, plants a kick on Dar and then goes to the top rope. Ali hits the Inverted 450 Splash and scores the pinfall. After the match, Dar says he lost, but with lady luck, Alicia Fox, by his side, 2017 will be a great year.

-- Neville vs. TJ Perkins: The match closes out with Perkins connecting with a punch on Neville and then goes to the top rope. Neville follows and goes for a superplex on Perkins. Neville kicks Perkins in the head and lands the superplex on the second try. Neville covers and scores the pinfall on Perkins. After the match, Neville celebrates to end the show.

*** NXT ***

- Asuka Setting Records: This past weekend, NXT Women's Champion Asuka became the longest reigning NXT Women's Champion. Asuka won the title at NXT Takeover: Dallas on April 1st and has yet to be defeated. Asuka is currently approaching 280 days as champion.

- Oh No, It's Kassius Ohno: Independent wrestler, Chris Hero, made his return to NXT this week using his Kassius Ohno character. Ohno came out in a suit and made his presence felt on NXT World Champion Shinsuke Nakamura.

*** TNA Impact Wrestling ***

** TNA Impact Recap **TNA kicked off the new year with a live edition of TNA Impact. The main event saw Eddie Edwards defend the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Bobby Lashley and Ethan Carter in a Triple Threat Match.

-- Eddie Edwards Promo: Edwards is humble and honored to kick off 2017 as TNA World Heavyweight Champion and he has a surprise for the Wolves Nation fans. Bobby Lashley suddenly interrupts and says that he deserves a rematch and demands it. Ethan Carter suddenly interrupts next and mocks both Edwards for being a goofy babyface and Lashley for being the angry heel. EC3 demands a rematch, as Lashley begins to run down EC3. Edwards cuts them both off and proposes a Triple Threat Match so they both get their rematch. Edwards also promises us a surprise as the segment ends.

-- "TNA Grand Championship Match": Moose (c) vs. Mike Bennett: The match goes all three rounds and concludes with the judges ruling Moose with the split decision win to retain the title. Moose took round one and three 10-9 and Bennett took round two 10-9.

-- Backstage, Broken Matt Hardy and Brother Nero confront Swoggle, thank him for coming to Total Nonstop Deletion and ask if he was sent to TNA by his dastardly father "Meek Mahon". Swoggle says "Meek Mahon" isn't really his dad, which excites Matt.

-- Rockstar Spud Promo: Spud says 2017 will be better for him and then calls out Swoggle for turning on him at Total Nonstop Deletion. Swoggle arrives and we get a match.

-- Rockstar Spud vs. Swoggle: The match closes out with Spud shoving down Swoggle. Swoggle gets up, spears Spud, hits a german suplex and then the Celtic Cross to score the pinfall. After the match, Spud throws a temper tantrum and says TNA sucks because Spud lost to an infant at Total Nonstop Deletion and someone who looks like an infant tonight. Spud throws out an "I Quit" before leaving.

-- Backstage, Mike Bennett is furious over the split decision earlier in the TNA Grand Championship Match. Bennett challenges Moose to an anything goes match at One Night Only and Moose accepts.

-- Fact Of Life with Eli Drake: Drake says his feud with Ethan Carter is far from over and then introduces The Broken Hardy's as his guests. Drake insults the Hardy's Total Nonstop Deletion show and is mad that he was never invited. Matt says maybe Drake was just afraid to show up just like "Meek Mahon's" "Day Of The New". Matt says Drake talks trash, but doesn't back it up just like "The Bucks of Youth". Brother Nero says the invite was eternal so Drake is a dummy for not showing up. Drake threatens to put Brother Nero in a Hardy Hospital, makes fun of their drones, fireworks and dumb magic and states that he is the one deity that they need to worry about. Drake hits his dummy button and Matt gets insulted because his 2,009 year old magic was questioned by Drake and calls this blasphemy. Drake says he hasn't understood a single thing the Hardy's have said and challenges The Hardy's to a TNA World Tag Team Championship Match at One Night Only. Drake says he'll find a partner as The Hardy's accept and promise to delete Drake.

-- Backstage, Eddie Edwards says he wants to prove he's a great champion tonight. Bobby Lashley interrupts, demands he hand over the TNA World Heavyweight Championship and avoid a beating. Edwards and Lashley go nose to nose to end the segment.

-- The Helms Dynasty (Trevor Lee and Andrew Everett) vs. The Decay (Abyss and Crazzy Steve): The match closes out with Abyss taking out Lee and Everett with a double clothesline, after they block a double chokeslam. Shane Helms gets in the ring and attempts a choke slam on Abyss. Rosemary gets in the ring and spits green mist at Helms. Abyss catches Everett springboarding and choke slams him to hell for the pinfall. After the match, The DCC countdown clock counts down as the lights go out. The lights pop back on and James Storm, Bram and Eddie Kingston are standing behind The Decay. The DCC bust beer bottles over The Decay's heads, laying them out.

-- Backstage, Maria Bennett mocks Allie for thinking she's a wrestler now just because she beat Laurel Van Ness. Maria says she has a surprise for Allie.

-- Maria Bennett Promo: Maria takes credit for herself and Mike Bennett being the reason TNA has been saved. Maria calls out Allie for some unfinished business. Maria blames Allie for all of Maria's problems and dares her to face Sienna. Allie accepts the challenge.

-- Sienna vs. Allie: The match closes out with Laurel Van Ness distracting Allie by flirting with Braxton Sutter. Sienna takes advantage, slaps and then spits on Allie. Allie slaps back and hits two clotheslines on Sienna. Allie with a crossbody on Sienna as Laurel hugs all over Sutter, distracting Allie again. Sienna hits The Silencer on Allie and scores the pinfall.

-- "TNA World Heavyweight Championship, Triple Threat Match": Eddie Edwards (c) vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Ethan Carter: The match closes out with Lashley spearing both EC3 and Edwards into the corner. EC3 falls outside and Edwards gets tossed outside by Lashley. Lashley hits a spear on EC3 outside as Edwards gets in the ring. Edwards hits a suicide dive on Lashley and then takes Lashley back into the ring. Lashley hits a spear on Edwards, but Edwards falls to the outside. Lashley grabs the TNA World Title and shoves the referee down. Edwards' partner Davey Richards returns as Edwards' surprise and grabs the title away from Lashley. Lashley gets distracted by Richards and ends up eating the Boston Knee Party from Edwards. Edwards scores the pinfall and retains the title. The Wolves celebrate together to end the show.

** TNA One Night Only Recap **TNA kicked off the new year with a One Night Only pay per view. In the main event Eddie Edwards defended the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Ethan Carter.

-- Bobby Lashley vs. Davey Richards: The match closes out with Richards locking in an ankle lock submission. Lashley escapes, goes for the spear, but his leg buckles. Richards locks in the ankle lock submission again, but Lashley counters it into an arm bar submission and makes Richards tap out.

** First Elimination: DJ Z goes for the ZDT on Lee, but it gets countered. DJ Z grabs Everett and rolls him up for the pinfall and elimination.

** Second Elimination: Lee sends DJ Z outside and unloads on Sutter. DJ Z eventually gets back in and goes for the ZDT on Sutter. Sutter counters, but gets crushed with a knee by Lee. Lee rolls up Sutter and scores the pinfall for the elimination.

** Final Elimination: Lee takes control and looks to be on his way to winning the title, but DJ Z hits a ZDT and scores the pinfall to retain the title.

-- Bram vs. Robbie E: The match closes out with Bram delivering a low blow on Robbie behind the referee's back. Bram hits the Brighter Side of Suffering on Robbie and scores the pinfall.

-- Backstage, Mike Bennett says the only reason Moose retained the TNA Grand Championship on Impact was because of crooked judges.

-- "No Holds Barred Match": Moose vs. Mike Bennett: The match closes out with Moose setting up a table in the ring. Moose goes to the top rope and leaps off, but Bennett hits a Cutter on Moose right through the table. Moose comes back and goes for the pinfall, but Maria breaks it up. Bennett goes for a spear, but Moose moves and Bennett accidentally spears Maria. Moose hits the Game Changer on Bennett and scores the pinfall.

-- Mahabali Shera vs. Marshe Rocket: The match closes out with Shera hitting the Sky High on Rocket and scoring the pinfall.

-- Gail Kim Promo: Gail says she's still not medically cleared to wrestle, but she will be back to win back the TNA Knockouts Championship. Current champion Rosemary interrupts Gail and goes nose to nose with Gail. TNA officials quickly separate the two.

-- "TNA Knockouts Championship Match": Rosemary (c) vs. Sienna: The match closes out with Sienna hitting The Silencer, but Rosemary falls outside. Sienna shoves the referee out of the way and gets a face full of mist from Rosemary. Rosemary hits the Red Wedding and scores the pinfall to retain the title.

-- James Storm vs. Jesse Godderz: The match closes out with Godderz locking in the Boston Crab submission but Bram and Eddie Kingston distract Godderz. Storm hits The Last Call and scores the pinfall. After the match, the lights go out and pop back on to reveal The Decay. Abyss and Crazzy Steve spit mist at Storm and Bram and then beat down Kingston.

-- "TNA World Tag Team Championship Match": The Broken Hardy's (c) vs. Eli Drake and Tyrus: The match closes out with Drake going for a Twist of Fate, but Matt shoved Drake into Tyrus. Matt and Jeff both hit Twists of Fate on Drake. Jeff hits the Swanton Bomb and scores the pinfall to retain the titles.

-- "TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match": Eddie Edwards (c) vs. Ethan Carter: The match closes out with the referee getting knocked out and EC3 hitting a hanging One Percenter on Edwards. Bobby Lashley hits the ring and hands EC3 a steel chair to use. EC3 throws the chair down and gives Lashley the bird. Lashley hits a spear on EC3 then grabs the steel chair. Davey Richards hits the ring, grabs the chair away from Lashley, but accidentally cracks EC3 with it in the process. Edwards hits the Boston Knee Party on EC3, scores the pinfall and retains the title to end the show.

- Anthem Sports and Entertainment Officially Take Over TNA: Anthem Sports and Entertainment officially announced this week that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority interest in TNA, forming Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions LLC. Anthem also announced that former TNA President Dixie Carter will remain on as a minority equity stakeholder.

- Jeff Jarrett Officially Returning To TNA: According to PWInsider, Anthem Media has come to terms for Jeff Jarrett to return to TNA. Jarrett will be at this week’s TV tapings, as will his wife Karen Jarrett. It's also being noted that Jarrett will be helping behind the scenes in terms of creative.

- TNA Still Interested In Alberto Del Rio: Sources have said that TNA officials have continued to have talks with former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Alberto El Patron (Alberto Del Rio) but as of earlier this week, no deal between the two had been signed. The talks between Del Rio and the company go back several months following his release from WWE on September 9th.

*** Ring of Honor Wrestling ***

** ROH TV Recap **This week's show was a best of 2016 show, no new recap this week.

- Ring Of Honor Wrestler Contract Statuses: This past week PWInsider posted the following list of Ring of Honor wrestlers that as of my writing have either resigned or have yet to resign with ROH to new contracts. Here is that list of ROH top talent contract statuses:

-- Jay Lethal has resigned with ROH after turning down offers from WWE for their NXT promotion.
-- Bobby Fish has resigned with ROH after hinting of possibly going to the WWE.
-- War Machine and BJ Whitmer have not signed new contracts with ROH as of yet and may be shopping around to other promotions.
-- ROH commentator Steve Corino has accepted a contract with the WWE as a Performance Center Coach.
-- ROH Matchmaker Nigel McGuinness has accepted a contract with the WWE as a Performance Center Coach.
-- Kyle O'Reilly has yet to resign with ROH. Rumors are stating that if O'Reilly doesn't resign with ROH he will most likely lose the ROH World Championship to Adam Cole at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11.(Editor's Note: This in fact happened at WK11 as O'Reilly still has not resigned with ROH)
-- Current ROH World Champion Adam Cole's ROH contract will expire in April of 2017.
-- The Briscoe Brothers' contracts with ROH expire in June of 2017.
-- Scarlett Bordeaux appeared on RAW last Monday, getting squashed by Nia Jax, but it's unknown if Scarlett accepted a WWE contract as of yet.

*** Lucha Underground ***

** Lucha Underground TV Recap **This week's main event saw Lucha Underground Champion Johnny Mundo face The Mack with the winner given the opportunity to pick the stipulation for their up coming title match.

-- Backstage Jeremiah Crane brags to Catrina that he beat her boyfriend, the man she loves, Mil Muertes last week. Catrina says Muertes isn't the only one she loves.

-- Sexy Star vs. Mariposa: The match closes out with Mariposa applying a modified indian death lock submission, but Sexy Star gets to the ropes to break the hold. Mariposa misses a top rope moonsault and Sexy hits a drop kick. Both ladies fight onto the top rope where Sexy drops Mariposa on the mat, hits a double foot stomp off the ropes and scores the pinfall. After the match, Mariposa's brother Marty The Moth checks on Mariposa. Marty ends up turning on his sister and chokeslams her.

-- Backstage, Mascarita Sagrada is lifting weights when he's approached by The Rabbit Tribe. The Rabbit Tribe bow before Mascarita and claim that he's their white rabbit. Mascarita refuses, but Paul London says that he is their guru, their god and the leader of their tribe. Mascarita calls London "loco" and walks away.

-- "Six Person Tag Team Match": The Rabbit Tribe (Paul London, Mala Suerte and Saltador) vs. Kobra Moon, Pindar and Vibora w/Drago: The match closes out with The Rabbits taking advantage and triple teaming their opponents. Vibora drops London with a jumping tombstone piledriver. Kobra Moon orders Drago to get in the ring and finish off Saltador. Drago obeys, drops Saltador with a running neck breaker and scores the pinfall. After the match, Aerostar and Fenix hit the ring and attack Vibora and Pindar. Kobra Moon orders Drago to attack his former best friends. Aerostar and Fenix try to talk down Drago, but Drago pushes them away. Kobra demands Drago to attack, but Aerostar and Fenix are able to hold Drago back from doing so.

-- Backstage, The Mack congratulates Sexy Star on her win tonight. Sexy offers to be in The Mack's corner tonight, but Mack politely turns Sexy down.

-- Backstage, Dario Cueto confronts The Mack, tries to talk him up and then says that his match tonight won't be for the Lucha Underground Championship, instead it's just a warm up match. Mack says he doesn't need a warm up match. Cueto says he'll still get his title match, but tonight the winner will get to choose the stipulation for that match.

-- "Winner Picks The Stipulation For The Lucha Underground Championship Match": Johnny Mundo vs. The Mack: The match closes out with Mack hitting a Code Breaker while Mundo tittered in between the ropes and gets a near fall. Mack goes for the Stunner, but gets shoved into the referee. Mack plants Mundo with a sit down power bomb, but there's no referee to count. The referee comes too and counts, but Mundo kicks out at two and a half. PJ Black and Jack Evans distract Mack, allowing Mundo to land a low blow and roll up Mack for the pinfall. After the match, Mundo, Black and Evans beat down Mack as Mundo grabs a microphone and verbally assaults Mack. Mundo announces their title match will be an All Night Long Match and then proceeds to Curb Stomp Mack.

-- Mil Muertes Confronts Vampiro: Johnny Mundo and his faction run for cover as Mil Muertes and Catrina hit the ring and go after Vampiro. Muertes knocks down and then pounds on Vampiro at the commentary table. Muertes drags Vampiro into the ring as Prince Puma hits the ring to help his new master. Vampiro orders Puma to stand down, not interfere and then accepts a Flatliner by Muertes to end the show.

*** New Japan Pro Wrestling ***

** Wrestle Kingdom 11 Recap **The Wrestlemania of New Japan Pro Wrestling has arrived again this year. Wrestle Kingdom 11 took place live at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. This year's main event saw Kazuchika Okada defend the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against G1 Tournament Winner and Bullet Club leader Kenny Omega.

-- New Japan Rumble: The Final Four come down to Michael Elgin, Cheeseburger, Scott Norton and Tenzan. Elgin ends up tossing Norton to the floor for the elimination. Cheeseburger and Tenzan double team Elgin, but Elgin fires back and tosses Tenzan out of the ring for the elimination. Cheeseburger unloads a series of strikes on Elgin, but then eats a punch. Cheeseburger hits a super kick, but Elgin hits the Buckle Bomb on Cheeseburger and then scores the pinfall with the Elgin Bomb.

-- Tiger Mask W vs. Tiger the Dark: The match closes out with Tiger Dark countering a Tombstone and plants Tiger W with his own piledriver for a near fall. Tiger W lands a german suplex and a tiger suplex on Tiger Dark for a near fall. Tiger W hits a Golden Star Powerbomb on Tiger Dark and scores the pinfall.

-- "IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship Match": The Young Bucks (c) vs. Roppongi Vice: The match closes out with Romero hitting a hurracanrana on Nick and Matt Jackson, but The Bucks hit a double super kick and a PJ Kick by Nick for a near fall. The Bucks nail a Buckle Bomb and a kick to the head on Romero. Nick with the 450 Splash on Romero for another near fall. The Bucks begin the super kick party on Romero, laying Romero out, but Romero somehow still kicks out at two and a half. The Bucks go to put Romero away with More Bang For Your Buck, but Beretta distracts Nick. Romero sneaks up on Nick and scores the rollup pinfall to win the titles for Roppongi Vice.

** First Elimination: The Bullet Club eliminate Chaos by pinfall to advance in the Gauntlet after Takahashi hits his finisher on Jado.

** Second Elimination: Sanada shoves Takahashi into the referee, knocking him out. Sanada grabs a steel chair, puts it around Takahashi's neck and then swings a second steel chair, crushing Takahashi's neck. Sanada locks in the Skull End submission and makes Takahashi tap out.

** Final Elimination: Ricochet and Finlay double team EVIL. EVIL hits a top rope Super Code Breaker on Ricochet. Kojima hits a cutter on EVIL and gets a near fall. Kojima plants EVIL with a brainbuster, but then gets sprayed in the face with mist by Bushi, as the referee is distracted. EVIL hits a sit down power bomb and then his Evil finisher on Kojima to score the pinfall and win the titles.

-- Cody Rhodes vs. Juice Robinson: The match closes out with Cody dropping Juice with a DDT after hanging him from the ropes and getting a near fall. Juice hits a lariat on Cody then goes for a power bomb. Juice's knee gives out and Cody counters it into Cross Rhodes to score the pinfall.

-- "ROH World Heavyweight Championship Match": Kyle O'Reilly (c) vs. Adam Cole: The match closes out with O'Reilly locking in a rear naked choke and then hits a german suplex on Cole. Cole hits a shining wizard on O'Reilly and then the Last Shot for a near fall. O'Reilly counters a Cole super kick and traps Cole in an ankle lock submission. Cole escapes by kicking O'Reilly in his injured shoulder. Cole plants four straight superkicks on O'Reilly, then the Last Shot to score the pinfall and win back the ROH World Championship.

-- "IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, Triple Threat Match": Guerrillas of Destiny (Tanga and Roa)(c) vs. Chaos (Tomohiro Ishii and Toru Yano) vs. G.B.H. (Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma): The match closes out with Makabe hitting a double clothesline on Roa and Tanga. Honma hits a flying headbutt off the top rope and makes the cover, but Ishii stops the pinfall. Ishii catches a headbutt and then Honma gets dropped with a Gun Stun. GOD goes for the Guerrilla Warfare, but Honma fights out of it and Yano blind tags. Ishii unloads on Roa and Tanga and Yano lands a double low blow on GOD. Ishii hits a double clothesline and Yano scores a rollup pinfall to win the tag team titles.

-- "IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Match": Kushida (c) vs. Hiromu Takahashi: The match closes out with Kushida getting a near fall victory roll. Kushida and Takahashi unload punches on each other until both go down. Takahashi lands a belly to belly suplex and then places Kushida on the top rope. Takahashi hits a Victory Roll Bomb off the top rope for a near fall. Takahashi hits the Time Bomb on Kushida, scores the pinfall and wins the title.

-- "NEVER Openweight Championship Match: Katsuyori Shibata (c) vs. Hirooki Goto: The match closes out with Shibata locking in a rear naked choke submission on Goto. Goto escapes by reaching the ropes and Shibata shoves the referee down. Goto and Shibata trade head butts on each other until Shibata plants a kick to Goto's chest. Goto and Shibata unload more headbutts and elbows nonstop at each other. Goto finally hits two GTR's on Shibata, scores the pinfall and wins the title.

-- "IWGP Intercontinental Championship Match": Tetsuya Naito (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi: The match closes out with Naito hitting a reverse tornado DDT off the top rope on Tanahashi for a very close near fall. Naito hits Destino on Tanahashi and scores the pinfall to retain the title.

-- "IWGP Heavyweight Championship Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Kenny Omega: The match closes out with Omega reversing a Tombstone and hitting one of his own on Okada for a near fall. Both men trade punches until Omega hits a snap suplex and follows that with a running knee on Okada for a near fall. Okada counters the One Winged Angel and hits the Rainmaker on Omega. Omega is back up and unloads kicks and knees on Okada. Okada hits a second Rainmaker, but Omega kicks out again at two and a half. Omega is back up, hits a drop kick and a running knee on Okada. Okada again counters the One Winged Angel and plants Omega with a leaping Tombstone. Okada hits another Rainmaker on Omega and finally scores the pinfall to retain the title to end the show.

** New Year's Dash Recap **What's NJPW New Year's Dash? It's the event that takes place right after Wrestle Kingdom. A good example of this? Think of the RAW after Wrestlemania. New Year's Dash is where new stories begin, big things happen and sometimes old legends return.

-- "Six Man Tag Team Match": Jushin Thunder Liger, Tiger Mask and Henare vs. David Finlay, Ricochet and Kyle O’Reilly: The match closes out with Liger, Tiger and Henare all applying submission holds at the same time to take control. The submissions are broken and all six men brawl. Finlay plants Henare with Rolling Hills and Ricochet hits a Shooting Star Press to score the pinfall. After the match, Finlay hugs his mom and his dad, former WCW and WWE superstar Fit Finlay.

-- Yujiro Takahashi and Hangman Page vs. Billy Gunn and Yoshitatsu: The match closes out with Yoshi hitting a drop kick and a spinning wheel kick on Page. Tanahashi pulls Yoshi outside and DDT's him on the floor. Gunn taunts Page with the DX "Suck It" crotch chop, so Page grabs Gunn by his jewels and slams him. Page grabs Yoshi and hits Rite Of Passage to score the pinfall. After the match, an angry Billy Gunn goes face to face with one of NJPW's up and comers Katsuya Kitamaru.

-- "Six Man Tag Team Match": Roppongi Vice and Yoshi-Hashi vs. Adam Cole and The Young Bucks: The match closes out with Cole hitting The Last Shot and The Bucks nailing super kicks on Romero. Beretta and Yoshi clean house, but Cole super kicks Romero. Baretta hits a Canadian Destroyer and Cole gets The Last Shot reversed and gets pinned in a rollup. After the match, Cole hits The Last Shot on Yoshi and The Bucks destroy Yoshi with super kicks.

-- "Ten Man Tag Team Match": Team 2000 (Scott Norton, Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Hiro Saito and Cheeseburger) vs. The Bullet Club (Kenny Omega, Guerrillas of Destiny, Bad Luck Fale and Bone Soldier): The match closes out with Saito unloading stomps on Tama, which causes a huge brawl. Bone Soldier gets destroyed by Team 2000 with all their finishers. Saito hits a running senton and Kojima hits a lariat on Bone Soldier to score the pinfall.

-- Michael Elgin and Kushida vs. Tetsuya Naito and Himoru Takahashi: The match closes out with Elgin going for the Buckle Bomb, but Naito dropkicks Elgin's legs out. Naito throws the referee out of the ring and then kicks Kushida and Elgin in the jewels. A masked wrestler hits the ring, lays out Naito and reveals himself as Dragon Lee. Himoru gets head scissored outside and Lee suicide dives onto him. Elgin hits Burning Hammer on Naito and scores the pinfall. After the match, Lee plants Himoru with the Phoenix Plex and then goes nose to nose with Kushida.

-- "Ten Man Tag Team Match": Katsuyori Shibata, Tomoaki Honma, Togi Makabe, Juice Robinson and Yuji Nagata vs. Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto and Will Ospreay: The match closes out with Ospreay splashing Shibata into the barricade. Ishii drops Nagata, Honma drops Kokeshi, Okada drop kicks Honma and Juice clotheslines Goto. Shibata lands a kick on Ospreay and then Goto gets laid out with the PK Kick. Juice hits the Unprettier, covers and scores the pinfall. After the match, a gang of guys in black and white hit the ring and attack everyone. They're revealed to be Lance Archer, Taka Michinoku and Suzuki Gun. Gedo, Rocky Romero and Baretta hit the ring to try to help, but get beat down. Minoru Suzuki arrives, locks Okada in a choke and then hits a Gotch Piledriver. Suzuki blames Okada for what just happened and promises that he will rule NJPW again.

-- "NEVER Openweight 6-Man Championship Match": Los Ingobernables de Japon (c) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Manabu Nakanishi and Ryusuke Taguchi: The match closes out with Bushi going for a drop kick, but gets caught by Nakanishi and he goes for a Hercules Cutter. Bushi counters by raking the eyes and gets a near fall on Nakanishi with a Code Breaker. Tanahashi drops EVIL with a dragon screw and Sanada hits a dragon screw on Tanahashi. Tanahashi hits a Slingblade on Bushi and then suicide dives onto EVIL. A Hercules Cutter and a pinfall and we have new champions.

- Kenny Omega Taking Time Off: Kenny Omega recently tweeted out that he will be taking some time off away from NJPW to figure out the next journey in his career.

*** Other ***

- Cody Rhodes Conquers A First In Wrestling History: Cody Rhodes became the first wrestler to appear in all 4 major pay per views in a single year's time for the top 4 promotions. Cody Rhodes appeared at WWE Wrestlemania 32, April 2016. TNA Bound for Glory, October 2016. ROH Final Battle , December 2016. NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 11, January 2017.

- Could Ronda Rousey Make It In The WWE?: After coming off of one of the worst losses in her MMA career at UFC 207, many are now speculating on whether or not Ronda Rousey would be feared or even accepted if she were to make the jump to the WWE. Some fear that the WWE Universe won't accept her at all and will heckle Rousey about her two straight losses in the UFC, mostly her recent defeat in only 48 seconds to Amanda Nunes. Rousey has stated in the past that she is a huge WWE fan and would love to make the jump to the WWE one day. The WWE even had an altercation with The Rock and Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon back at Wrestlemania 31, that they eventually wanted to build on. Some fans think that Rousey, if used right, could make an impact in the WWE and make it no problem. Some fans think that maybe Rousey should start out in NXT and earn back her dominance and get noticed again. Some feel that maybe she should be a heel and play into her last two failed UFC bouts. There is also the possibility of teaming her with a well liked Women's wrestler to help her get in with the crowd and well received (Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, maybe Mickie James). Or maybe WWE should just say screw it and put Rousey vs. Stephanie McMahon at Wrestlemania 33 or 34 and see what happens. My opinion on the subject? I'm a fan win or lose of Ronda Rousey and I'd be more than happy to see her used in some way in the WWE, whether full time or part time.

- Ricochet Interested In Working With The WWE: This past week, Ricochet (Prince Puma in Lucha Underground) was interviewed by SI.com and was asked his opinion on possibly working in the WWE one day. Ricochet stated that he met Triple H and William Regal in the past and would love to work in the WWE or even NXT one day. Ricochet stated the following about his opinions on a possible career in the WWE or NXT:

“I would love to be Intercontinental champion in 2017. That would be exceeding my goal. I’ve met Triple H a couple times, and he and William Regal are awesome guys. I would love to be with NXT. I feel like the Performance Center has a bunch of tools that I could benefit from, all the classes they have available could make me better. I don’t have a contract at the moment, but I want to focus on New Japan. It’s a super cool place, it’s gaining steam, especially with AJ and Nakamura coming from there to WWE. And I really want that junior heavyweight belt.”

Ricochet also gave his opinions on the WWE's new 205 Live Cruiserweight Division show:

“The guys on the 205 Live cruiserweight show are awesome, my boy Swann is killing it. But that’s not the route I want. I want to go the Fergal Devitt route. Seth Rollins. Kevin Owens. That’s the route I want to take. I want to work my way up from NXT champion to U.S. or Intercontinental champion. I have goals, and I’m not willing to settle. This is nothing against the cruiserweights on 205, but it’s just not for me.”

- Kurt Angle's Possible WWE Return: The rumors have been making the internet rounds the past few weeks about Kurt Angle finally returning home to where his professional wrestling career started, the WWE. Angle himself has even begun to tell independent wrestling promotions that he can't wrestle at any shows after April because he'll be under contract with the WWE. If Angle returns, fans have already picked five of WWE's top talents that they want to see Angle feud with.

- Alberto Del Rio Arrested: According to an Austrian news website, Alberto Del Rio was arrested in Austria on Friday, December 30th. Following an indie show in Leoben, Austria, Del Rio and his brother El Hijo del Dos Cara were reportedly involved in a brawl at a local nightclub. After the fight at the club, the man they fought reportedly went to the hospital while Del Rio and his brother were taken to the local police precinct. Del Rio and Dos Cara then got into a fist fight with each other while at the precinct, apparently because Del Rio was trying to calm his brother down. Del Rio's brother is reportedly still hospitalized in Austria, while Del Rio was released on bail.

- Jimmy Snuka's Murder Charges Dropped: Last Tuesday afternoon, all charges were dropped against WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka at an unscheduled hearing in Allentown, Pennsylvania, by Judge Kelly L. Banach. The judge ruled that Snuka's mental health will not improve enough to stand trial. Snuka was facing third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges in the 1983 death of his then girlfriend Nancy Argentino at a motel in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania. Snuka's lawyers argued that Snuka has dementia and is not fit to stand trial. Both the prosecution and the defense asked the judge to drop the case back in August if she believed Snuka's health would not improve. The judge needed more time to evaluate Snuka's condition and made her ruling finally on Tuesday.

And that's this week's W3C! Join me every Sunday afternoon as I bring you news, recaps and rumors all around the wrestling world!